3 soldiers martyred, 1 militant killed in Bandipora encounter

SRINAGAR, Feb 14: Three soldiers martyred and a militant was killed today in an encounter in Hajin area of Bandipora district of Kashmir, police said. Six other security personnel and a civilian also suffered injuries in the gun battle that began in the wee hours today, a police official said. Security forces cordoned off Parray Mohalla in Hajin area this morning following information about presence of militants there, the official said. He said a gun battle broke out as the security forces were closing in on the position of the militants. Nine security personnel were injured in the exchange of firing with the militants out of which three later succumbed to injuries, the official said. One militant, whose identity has not been ascertained yet, was also killed in the operation, he added. Further details of the incident are awaited.